Insulated car



Nov. 26, 1935.

E. D. RIGHAM. .1R 2,021,909.

INSULTED CAR Filed Nov. 5, 1932 4 sheets-'shear 1 v Nov. 26, 1935.' ED, BRlGHAM, JR 2,021,909

INSULATED CAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 "mi f INSULATED CAR Filed Nov', 5, 1932 E. D. BRIGHAVM. JR

Nov. 26, 1935.

Nov. 2,6, 1935. E. D. BRIGHAM, JR

INSULATED CAR Filed Nov. 5. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JQLQJ U Lll 4! H1041 Patented Nov. 26, 1935 UNITED sTATEs PATENT QFFICIEI` INSULATED CAR Application November Y 20 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an insulated car, more especially a small refrigerator railway car, although many of the features of this invention are equally suitable for use in other types of vehicles such as refrigerator cars of standard size, motor trucks, or other conveyances for perishable commodities.

Refrigerating cars ordinarily comprise a closed body having inner and outer walls with insulating material interposed between these walls or built into the walls, this insulation extending throughout the side and end walls, nfloor and roof so as to minimize the passage of heat from the exterior to the interior of the car. This insulation is subject to deterioration and loss of eiciency, usually caused by the seepage of moisture thereinto either from the exterior or the interior of the car. The car could be restored to its '20 normal efficiency by replacing this insulation, but

this cannot ordinarily be accomplished without more or less completely tearing down the car body construction. According to the present improvement, the car comprises a iixedly assembled metallic frame structure consisting of a lower platform supported from the wheels or trucks, and uprights and arches spaced apart and supported from the platform which form the skeleton of the side and end walls and the roof. A

floor, supported by the platform, is built within this frame, and a lining or inner wallis assembled within the car and supported from the floor and skeleton framework. The floor is formed with transversely extending passages which open 25v at the sides of the car above the platform. All

of' this portion of the car is permanently assembled and need not ordinarily be disturbed during the life of the car. Insulating material is removably positioned in the floor passages, and

40 a covering of insulating material encloses the supporting framework or skeleton. Over this insulating covering is placed an outer metallic shell which is removably attached at its lower edges to the edge portions of the supporting platform. All of the exterior car equipment at the sides, ends and top of the car are carried by this metallic shell and are bodily removable therewith. By simply detaching this shell from the platform and lifting the shell from the car,

all of the insul-ation is exposed and may be quickly removed and replaced.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved insulated car of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

5, 1932', serial No. 641,422

(ci. 10s-409) waterproof lining for a refrigerator car.

Another object is to provide an improved, permanently assembled metallic skeleton for a re- 10 frigerator car.

Another object is to provide an improved refrigerator car adapted to carry small shipments.

Another object is to provide an improved refrigerator car in which all of the insulation may 15 be removed and replaced without disturbing the car framework .or inner wall and floor construction.

Other objects "and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following 20 detailed description of one approved form of refrigerator car constructed and operating according to the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the car with 25 portions of the exterior and interior construction broken away.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective showing the means for attaching and supporting the lower end portion of one of the metallic uprights. 30

Fig. 3 is a partialside elevation of one end portion of the car.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through one end portion of the car body, the view being taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5. 35

Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal vertical section through one end portion .of the car, the View i being taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section, taken 40 substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

The car here show n by Way'of examplefis a small refrigerator railway car of the four-wheeled type adapted to carry small shipments insumcient to fill a refrigerator car of standard size. A car 45 of this size may be made of lighter and simplified construction and is useful for transporting and storing small shipments of perishable goods which would only partially ll an ordinary refrigerator car, thus avoiding transfer or rehandling of these 50 foods and consequent exposure, and avoiding delays in shipment. It will be apparent, however, as the disclosure proceeds that the principal improvements of this invention could be incorporated in railway refrigerator cars of standard `l size, or in the refrigerated bodies of motor trucks or other conveyances. It is to be understood that all of these uses are contemplated as being with-l in the scope of this invention as outlined in the claims.

' The car comprises in general a metallic platform or base structure A, an upper metallic skeleton or supporting frame B mounted on the platform A, and the wheeled supporting structure C by means of which the platform A is supported on and transported along the rails, all of this basic metallic supporting structure consisting of the parts A, B, and C being permanently and for the most part rigidly assembled. A oor assembly indicated generally at D is supported on platform A within the frame B, and a lining or inner wall E is supported by the floor D and framework B.`

longitudinally extending steel angle beams I and 2, transverse trusses or beams 3 and such inter' in bearing boxes 6 which are vertically slidable in f extending'ilan'ges' III, and outer downwardly extending anges II provided with openings I2 for receiving the bolts or rivets I3 by means of which the sides of the outer metallic shell His anchored in place, as hereinafter described. Transverse angle bars I4 having lower inwardly extending horizontal flanges I5 secured to the upper end edge portions of platform I, have upper outwardly extending horizontal flanges I5' which are perforated to receive the attaching bolts or rivets I6 by means of which the end. members of outer shell, H are anchored in'place. The side portions of the skeleton or frame B comprise a series of similar spaced apart uprights I1 in the form of metallic angle bars, each comprising an intermediate web .I' extending transversely through the Wall-space, and inner and outer opposltely extending iianges I9 and 20 extending parallel with the side of the car, the inner flange I9 being se- ;cured at its lower end by means of gusset plate 2l to the inner upright flange I9 of side beam 9. It will be noted (see Fig. 2) that plates 22 and 23 of suitable fiber board or other heat-insulating material are interposed between the metal members of the uprights I1 and the metal `beam 9 for the purpose of breaking the frost-line, that is minimizing the conduction of heat between these metallic members. It might here be noted, without further description thereof, that similar insulating plates are used at a number of different locations throughout this metallic assemblyfor the purpose of preventing the transfer of heat between the metallic members exposed respectively at the inner and outer sides of the car walls. Spaced apart uprights 24 similar to the uprights II, are positioned at the ends of the car and are 5 attached to and supported by angle bracket members or gussets 25 mounted on platform A. Arch members-26 in the form of suitable angle beams bridge the upper portion'of the frame to support the roof structures. 'I'he arches 26 form ex- 10 tensions of the opposite side uprights I'I so as to form substantially continuous spaces between these uprights and arches,A said spaces extending continuouslyaround the sides and roof of the frame structure. The upper ends of the end upl5 rights 24 are secured to the end arches 26 by means of gussets 21. Runners or angle beams 23 extend longitudinally of the upper inner portion of the car, being secured to the upper end portions of the side uprights I1, these runners 20 having inwardly extending flanges 29 which support the roof portion of the inner wall or lining E. This metallic supporting frame or skeleton B may be provided with additional bracing members or gussets not here specifically described, and 25 it will be noted that the central portions of the side wall framework are modied to provide the larger openings necessary to receive the usual side-doors 30. Wood posts or studs 3| are mounted in the angles between flanges I8 and 20 of the 30 several uprights I1 and 24. The car ,liningV E is mounted against. thesestuds 3|, which also serve to space the lining away from direct contact with the steel framework B.

The oor indicated generally at D is built upon the platform A within the frame B. The lowermost floor structure comprises a plurality of spaced apart wood beams or runners 32 extending longitudinally of the car and resting on the platform A, and a superposed sheet or layer 33 40 of ilber board or composition, preferably waterproof. A series of spaced apart transverse wood beams 34 rest on sheet 33, and above these beams 34 is supported a second sheet 35 of composition material, thus providing a plurality of transversely extending passages 36 which open at both ends through -the respective sides of the car. The floor insulation is inserted in these passages as hereinafter described. The car lining E or inner wall, is built up of sheets of Wood or liber-board or other preferably water-proof composition so as to completely enclose the sides, ends, roof and floor of the inner car space. 'I'he roof portion 31 of the lining E is supported on the inwardly extending ilanges 29 of the horizontal runners .28 of 55 the frame construction. The portions of lining E forming the floor covering 35 and the lower portions 38 'of the side and end walls are built up of two superposed sheets 39 of the composition material, these sheets being thinner than 50 the sheets which are used for the upper portions 46 of the side and end walls, and the roof portion 31. Between the two layers 39 is interposed 'a continuous sheet or layer 4I of waterproof material which extends across the oor and up into the'lower portions of the sides and ends so as to form an imperforate waterproof pan, This waterproof layer 4I may be built up of several layers of waterproof paper imbedded in tar, or of any other suitable Waterproof material. This 70 waterproofed inner lining will prevent the passage of water through the floor construction and lower side and end walls when the car is washed out. Considerable moisture also accumulates within the car. Suitable drain openings may be goods to be shipped and refrigerated are positioned on the floor 42.

Any suitable refrlgerating means F may be provided for refrigerating the car. As here shown, bulk-heads 44 are positioned transversely l of the car, at one or both ends thereof, each bulkhead terminating at its upper and lower ends short of the floor and roof of the car so as to provide passages 45 'and 46 through which the air Within the car circulates. A metallic bin or basket assembly 41 is positioned in the compartment between the bulk-heads 44 and the adjacent' end of the car, this assembly 41 providing receptacles for ice or other refrigerant and air passages around and adjacent to this refrigerant. This bin assembly 41 may be supported by brackets 48 which are connected by bolts 49 passing through the inner lining E and the inner flanges y 20 of the uprights I1 and 24 of the frame B.

Wooden beams 6I rest on the metallic arches 26, and are suitably curved on their upper surfaces to support the rounded top 55 of the metal shell H as hereinafter described.

All of the construction thus far described in detail, comprising the parts indicated generally by the'characters A, B, C, D, E, and F, constitutes what may be termed the permanently assembled portion of the car. None of the parts thus far described need be disturbed when the insulation G is to be removed and replaced.

The insulating cover G may be built up of strips or sheets of any suitable insulating material, as ordinarily used for this purpose. Strips of insulation 50 are first inserted in the floor passages 36 which are open and exposed at the sides of the car before the side wall insulation is placed in position. The side walls, ends and roof of the car are then completely covered with strips or layers of this insulation material. Strips 5I of this insulation may be positioned between each adjacent pair of uprights I1 and top arches 26 and this/strip may run continuously around the two sides and roof of the car. Similar strips 52 are positioned between the uprights 24 at the ends of the car. An outer layer 53 of insulating material is then added so as to completely enclose all of the metallic .frameworl-:B It will be noted that this insulating covering G extends down to the platform A at the sides and ends of thecar so as to enclose the edge portions of the floor D.

Over this insulating covering G is placed the outer removable metallic shell H. This shell H comprises side walls 54 and the roof 55 which may be permanently assembled and removed as a unit. 'I'he end walls 58 are removably attached at their edge portions tothe end edges of the sides 54 and roof 55, by means of the removable rivets, or bolts 51 (see Figs. 3 and 4). As already described, the lower edge portions of the sides and ends are removably secured to the platform A by means of the removable bolts I3 and I6. All of the equipment usually carried on the sides, ends and roof of the car, such as the ladder 58 and running board 53 for example, are mounted on and removable with the outer metallic shell H. The side door constructions indicated at 30 may either be carried, in whole or in part, by the outer shell H or by the permanent car framework. If the doors 30 are not removable with the outer shell, the side walls 54 adjacent the doorway may be removably attached by bolts such as in- .dicated at 60, Fig. 3. Suitable covers 62 carried by the roof close the upper ends of hatchopenings 63 through which ice or other refrigerant is introduced into the bins 41.

It will be noted that the metallic shell H only contacts with the insulation G or with the wood- 5 en supports 6I, except for the lower edge portions which are attached to the metallic platform A, and non -metallic insulating material is interposed between this platform and the frame B andinner car construction. Hence there are 10 no metallic connections for facilitating the transfer of heat from the exterior to the interior' of the car.

Incase it becomes necessary to replace or repair the insulation G, either in whole or in part, 15

the outer shell H is removed by withdrawing the attaching bolts and lifting off the shell parts by means of a suitable hoisting mechanism. As already noted, the sides and roof may be removed as a unit. All of the insulation is now accessi- 20 ble and any portion or all of it may be removed and replaced. By lifting away the lower portions of the side insulation, the fioor insulation 50 is accessible and may be drawn out laterally from flo-cr passages 36 and replaced. After the insula- 25 tion has been renewed, the outer shell H will be replaced in an obvious manner.

I claim:

1. A refrigerator car comprising a fixedly assembled supporting platform and body frame, 30 wheeed means for supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the frame, an insulated fioor within the frame, and an cuterv wall in the form of a metallic shell fitting freelyy about the innerl Walls and removably 3 attached to the platform.

2; A refrigerator car comprising a fixedly assembled supporting platform and body frame, wheeled means for supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the 40 frame, an insulated fioor within the frame, and an outer wall in the form of a metallic shell removably secured adjacent its lower edges to the edge portions of the platform.

3.,A refrigerator car comprising a iixedly as- 45 sembled supporting platform and body frame, wheeled means for supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the frame, an insulated fioor within the frame, an outer wall in the form of a removable metallic 50 shell comprising connectedl side and top walls, the lower edge portions of the side walls being removably secured tp the side edges of the platform, and end wallsI removably secured to the side and top walls anelito'l the end edges of the plat- 5 form. Y

4. A refrigerator car comprising a iixedly assembled supporting platform and body frame, wheeled means for supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the frame, an insulated fioor within the frame, and an outer removable casing comprising a metallic shell and the'outer car equipment above thc platform which equipment is mounted on and removable with the shell, said casing being removably o5 attached adjacent its lower edges to the Iplatform.

5. A refrigerator car comprising a iixedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprights, roof arches and connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an insulated fioor witl'iirr-fthe body frame, a lining wall mounted withiljry the'frame, a covering of insulating material .positioned between and I6 outside of the frame members, and an outer metallic shell removably attached to the platform and fitting freely over the assembly carried by the platform.

6. A refrigerator car comprising a fixedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprlghts, 'roof arches and connecting brace beams. wheeled means for supporting the platform, an insulated iioor within the body frame, a lining wall mounted within the frame, a covering of insulating material positioned between and outside of the frame members, a metallic shell removably positioned over the insulation, and means for removably attaching the lower edge portions of the shell to the edges of the platform.

7. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprights, roof arches and connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an insulated oor carried by the platform within the body frame,.a lining wall mounted within the frame, a covering of insulated material positioned between and outside of the framemembers, and a removable outer metallic shell, said shell comprising connected side and top walls, the lower portions of the side walls being removably secured to side edges of the platform, and end walls removably secured to the sidel and top walls and to the end edges of the platform.

8. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprights, roof arches and connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an inner body structure permanently built within the frame, a removable insulating covering for rthe frame, and an outer metallic shell removably attached adjacent its lower edges to the platform.

9. A refrigerator car comprising a flxedly assembled supporting platform and a body frame comprising spaced apart uprights, top arches and connecting members, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an exterior covering of insulating material enclosing the sides, ends and top of the frame, an outer` metallic shell enclosing the insulating material and removably secured to the edges of the platform, a oor positioned within the frame and supported by the platform, said floor comprising upper and lower structures separated by transversely extending non-metallic beams so as to provide open ended floor passages extending through the car from side to side when the side wall coverings are removed,v insulating material removably positioned in these passages,

' and a lining for the the interior of the car body.

10. A refrigerator car comprising a flxedly assembled supporting platform and a body frame comprising spaced apart uprights, top arches and connecting members, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an exterior covering of insulat- /ing material enclosing the sides, ends and top of the frame, an outer metallic shell enclosing the insulating material and removably secured to -the edges of the platform, a oor positioned within the frame and supported by the. platform, said floor comprising upper and lower structures separated by transversely extending non-metallic beams so as to provide open ended door passages extending through the car from side to side when the side wall coverings are removed, laterally extending strips of insulating material removably positioned in these passages, and a lining for the interior of the ear body.

11. `A refrigerator car comprising a flxedly assembled supporting platform and a body frame comprising spaced apart uprights, top arches and connecting members, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an exterior covering of insulat- 5 ing material enclosing the sides, ends and top of the frame, an outer metallic shell enclosing the insulating material and removably secured to the edges of the platform, a floor positioned within the frame and supported by the platform, '10 said floor comprising upper and lower structures separated by transversely extending non-metallic beams so as to provide open ended oor passages extending through the car from side to side when the side wall coverings are removed, insulating 15 material removably positioned in these passages, and a lining for the interior of the car body, the lower portion of this lining comprising a continuous interior layer of waterproof material which covers the floor and extends upwardly into 20 the lower portions of the side and end walls of the lining.

12. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled supporting platform and a body frame comprising spaced apart uprights, top arches and 25 connecting members, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an exterior covering of insulating material enclosing the sides, ends and top of the frame, an outer metallic shell enclosing the insulating material and removably secured to the 30 edges of the platform, an insulated floor positioned Within the frame and supported from the platform, and a lining for the interior of the car body, the lower portion of this lining comprising' a continuous interior layer of waterproof ma- 35 terlal which covers the floor and extends upwardly into the lower portions of the side and end walls of the lining.

13. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform 4Ql and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprights, roof arches and connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, a floor positioned on the platform within the frame, the iigor comprising upper and lower floor struc- 45 tures spaced apart by non-metallic beams extending from side to side of the car so as to provide open-ended passages between the beams extending laterally of the car, insulation removably positioned within the passages, a lining wall 50 mounted within the frame, a covering of. insulating material positionedy between and outside of the frame members and enclosing the sides, ends and roof and the edge portions of the fluor, and a removable outer metallic shell.

.14. A refrigerator car comprising a iixedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform the frame, the floor comprising upper and lower' floor structures spaced apart by non-metallic beams extending from side to side of the car so as to provide open-ended passages between 65 the beams extending laterally of the car, insulation removably positioned within the passages, a lining wall mounted within the frame, a covering of insulating material positioned between and outside ofthe frame members and enclosing the 70 sides, ends and roof and the edge portions of the floor, a metallic shell removably positioned over the insulation covering, and means for removably attaching the lower edge portions of the shell to the edges of the platform.

15. A refrigerator car comprising a flxedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform` and a body frame consisting of spaced apart uprights, roof arches and connecting brace beams, A

wheeled means for supporting the platform, a oor positioned on the platform within the frame, the floor comprising upper and lower oor structures spaced apart by non-metallic beams extending from side to side of the car so as to provide open-ended passages between the beams extend.

prising connected side and top walls, the lower edges of the side walls being removably attached to the side edges of the platform, and end walls removably secured to the side and top walls and to the end edges of the platform.

16. A refrigerator car comprising a fxedly assembled metallic structure comprising a. platform and a body frame consisting. of spaced apart side and end uprights, transverseV roof arches forming extensions of the side uprights, and inner connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an insulated oor positioned on the platform within the frame, a lining wall within the frame, an insulating covering comprising strips of insulating material positioned between the uprights and arches, and additional insulating material exteriorly covering the frame members and insulating strips to completely enclose the sides, ends and roof, and an outer removable metallic sheet removably secured to the edge portions of the platform.

17. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled metallic structure comprising a platform and a body frame consisting of spaced apart side and end uprights, transverse roof arches forming extensions of the side uprights, and inner connecting brace beams, wheeled means for supporting the platform, an insulated oor po.- sitioned on the platform within the frame, a lining 1wall Within the frame, an insulating covering comprising strips of insulating material positioned between the uprights and arches, and

additional insulating materials exteriorly covering the frame members and insulating strips to completely enclose the sides, ends and roof, and an outer removable metallic shell removably secured to the edge portions of the platform, said shell comprising connected side and top walls,

the lower edges of the side walls being removably attached to the side edges of the platform, and end walls removably secured to the side and top walls and ,to the end edges of the platform.

x18. A refrigerator car comprising a xedly assembled supporting platform and body frame, wheeled meansfor supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the frame, an insulated floor within the frame, and l5 -a removable outer metallic shell comprising. connected side and top walls, the lower portions of the side walls being removably secured to the side edge portions of the platform, and end walls removably secured to the side and top walls and to the end portions of the platform.

19. A refrigerator car comprising `a xedly assembled supporting platform and body frame, wheeled means for supporting the platform, insulated inner walls carried by and enclosing the frame, an insulated oor within the frame, and

a removable outer metallic shell adapted to fit' roof carried by the platform, a hollow oor positioned on the platform within the frame, and an inner lining carried by the floor and frame and enclosing the space within the car, an outer removablel metallic shell freely enclosing the frame and floor and secured at its lower edges to the platform, and insulating material positioned Within the frame and floor,said insulating material being accessible and removable when' the shell is removed without disturbing the permanently assembled car structure.

EDMUND D. BRIGHAM, JR. 

